Dave Gill - Usdaw National Officer says: “Debenhams has been in turmoil for many years, but this development over the weekend is deeply disturbing for staff. Throughout Debenham’s difficulties the company and now administrators are refusing to engage with Usdaw, the staff are being treated appallingly and we don’t believe the law is being complied with.
 
“Last week redundancies were made by conference call, with no meaningful consultation or proper notice period, as required by law. It is absolutely disgraceful that businesses can get away with this in the 21^st century. The Government needs to end the perverse financial incentive for employers and administrators not to comply with legal obligations on collective redundancy consultation.
 
“We again urge the administrators to engage with Usdaw, the trade union for Debenhams staff. It’s crucial that the staff and their voice should be heard, that they are treated within the law and with the dignity and respect they deserve. We will continue to provide our members with the support, advice and legal representation they need at this very difficult time.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
  
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion